My Perspective

             Today I want to talk a little about my perspective of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how the Church of Jesus Christ has personally affected my belief on God the Father, His son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. First I wanted to mention that thank you again for viewing my blog and second I know it will change your life.

       I want to start off with a quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley, former prophet of the Church: “The time has come for us to stand a little taller, to lift our eyes and stretch our minds to a greater comprehension and understanding of the grand millennial mission of this, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

(“This Is the Work of the Master,” in Conference Report, Apr. 1995, 95.)

       Although this quote was said in 1995, I feel it still applies. Let’s pay attention to one part that I think is really important here “…to lift our eyes and stretch our minds to a greater comprehension and understanding…” Now when this is by itself it makes the main point of this quote a little clearer. So what does it mean to have “greater comprehension and understanding”? Well from my perspective I feel that this is talking about education and learning. This not only means gaining knowledge or gaining more information. It is learning at its best! When I was in High School, there were several classes I really struggled with and some I did really well at. And I notice now that the classes I did really well in were the ones that were most interesting to me.

       As I went through High School, more and more classes began to open up to me and I began to be excited to learn and even excited to go to class in anticipation of what else I would learn. Now for me, this is how I feel about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and about the Book of Mormon. As I have learned more and more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

       I gained a knowledge of its truthfulness and with that knowledge I gained a testimony of the Truthfulness of the Church. I know this Church is true and no one will ever take that knowledge or conviction away from me. And because of that knowledge I want to share it with others who have not yet experienced it for themselves.

       Sometimes in this life we may feel that we don’t know where to go or what to do or why we are even here. And sometimes it may feel scary to not know and that is why I am sharing this with you. I wouldn't share this if God didn't love you enough to send me to share this with you! But I am sharing this! Because God loves you so much and wants for you to know that there is a purpose to this life, that He is there for you and that He wants you to succeed! God is there for us! I know it and I have seen it in my life. And I know it is scary to move forward, to change, and to learn. But that is why we are here, to learn and to grow and to find for ourselves the joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

       I know that it may be hard to hear this but yeah, I believe with all my heart that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church and I know it may seem hard to even begin to accept that. But this I know: That the greatest happiness and pure joy I have ever had in my life is from being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and from gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon and of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

       I love every one of you and hope that you know that I care enough that I want to share this with you.

       Now I want to end with two quotes from President Hinckley that I think really add to what I have said. Now, before that, some of you are probably are wondering how to learn and to grow. Well there is one answer to that and it comes in three parts:

1.  Learn as much as you can by attending school and getting a good education

          a.     This will help strengthen the foundation on which a family is built upon.

2.   Study the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures including the Bible and Book of Mormon.

          a.     This will increase your faith in God and will help you find peace in your life and help you have a firm testimony.

3.    Pray to know the truth about what you have learned. And continue in faith as you continually learn and grow.

          a.     You can never pray enough and by asking God to help you understand the things you.

       If there is anything that I have wanted to leave with you is this: that God is there for you and the more you learn about Him and ask for His help the more closer you will get to your Heavenly Father. (Now for the quotes)

       “Believe in Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Redeemer, the Son of God, who came to earth and walked the dusty roads of Palestine-the Son of God-to teach us the way of truth and light and salvation, and who, in one great and glorious act offered an atonement for each of us. He opened the way of salvation and exaltation for each of us, under which we may go forward in the Church and kingdom of God. Be not faithless, but believe in the great and wonderful and marvelous blessings of the Atonement.”

(“Selections from Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley,” Ensign, Mar. 2001, 64.)

       

       “This is my prayer for all of us—'Lord, increase our faith.' Increase our faith to bridge the chasms of uncertainty and doubt. . . . Grant us faith to look beyond the problems of the moment to the miracles of the future. . . . Give us faith to do what is right and let the consequence follow.”

( “Lord, Increase Our Faith,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 52–53.)

       I know this is true and know that it can change your life if you are willing to let it change you. I am so grateful to be here on the earth today to share with you my message and solid testimony, that Jesus Christ lives and that God lives and has restored the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ again to the earth today and I do so in Jesus Christ's name, Amen.

-Elder Sheets